Stuart Downey

Stuart Downey

Areas of expertise

Construction and interpretation of Wills

Contentious probate estate administration

Financial abuse or manipulation of vulnerable adults

Inheritance Act claims

Will challenges

Will, trust and estate disputes

Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP)

Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP, full member)

The Association of Lifetime Lawyers (Full Accredited Member)

Law Society Private Client Section

The Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS)

Leading Partner - contentious trusts and probate
The Legal 500 - 2027

Recommended for contentious trusts and probate
The Legal 500 – 2026

Recommended for property litigation
The Legal 500 – 2026

Recommendations

"Stuart is an excellent mediator. He was well prepared and knew the background/evidence which allowed him to effectively mediate the dispute and ultimately enable settlement. He kept everything moving throughout the day avoiding the typical long periods of downtime. I would definitely use his services again."

Inheritance and Trust Disputes Mediation client - October 2026

"The pre-mediation call between the lawyers was invaluable in this case because we had been struggling so much with obtaining disclosure about the Estate. It was helpful that you as an independent outside party also made it clear to the other side that the disclosure was imperative. I also think the way in which you challenged the evidence and the law in both rooms helped to bring the parties closer together and to ultimately achieve settlement on the day."

Inheritance and Trust Disputes Mediation client - October 2026

"Stuart Downey: simply superb. His non-contentious private client experience is an invaluable asset in aiding his commercial and common-sense approach to the settlement of complex litigation. Very able indeed."

The Legal 500 - 2027

"Stuart Downey heads the team, along with Chris Unsworth, Rebecca Westwood, and Hayley Prosser. What makes them different is the fact that they reach out to other solicitors in different law firms. My team is private client but not contentious, and it is good to meet with them every now and then for lunch and build relationships. They are always on the end of a phone for queries."

The Legal 500 - 2027

I contacted TWM for advice and support with a dispute regarding the estate of my late Father. Mr Stuart Downey handled my case. He was superb, always available if needed to discuss things and handled the case with a high level of professionalism and effectiveness leading to the successful conclusion of the matter. Highly recommended.

Trustpilot review - November 2025

About Stuart

Stuart Downey is a Dispute Resolution Partner and Mediator and leads the Will, Trust and Estate Disputes team, working out of the firm’s Guildford office. He has an exceptional skillset, combining many years of experience in non-contentious Private Client work before advancing to Dispute Resolution. Stuart’s comprehensive knowledge spans all aspects of estate and succession planning, Inheritance Tax, and cross-border estates, along with extensive experience in estate administration, complex Wills and trusts. This rare dual expertise allows Stuart to manage complex disputes without needing to seek advice from additional non-contentious lawyers, for example, in relation to drafting of documents, administration of trusts and estates or in relation to Inheritance Tax.

Stuart’s ability to identify innovative solutions that other litigators may overlook ensures quicker, more effective resolutions, especially in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) settings like mediation. His strategic approach can significantly reduce the time and cost involved in resolving disputes.

Stuart has represented a diverse range of UK and international clients, including high and ultra high net worth individuals, their families, in various capacities, whether as settlors, trustees, executors or beneficiaries. Stuart is adept at handling cases involving elderly and vulnerable clients, particularly where mental capacity is in question. Stuart also represents a number of corporate and charitable organisations.

Expertise

Stuart specialises in all types of Will, Trust and Estate Disputes, offering a highly personalised service to his clients focused on resolving issues efficiently and effectively. His areas of expertise include:

Will disputes, including:
- Lack of testamentary capacity;
- Lack of due execution;
- Lack of knowledge and approval of the Will;
- Undue influence, fraudulent calumny or duress;
- Fraud or forgery;
Rectification and construction of Wills and trusts;
Setting aside trusts for mistake;
Inheritance Act claims for spouses, former spouses, cohabitees, children, and financial dependents;
Trust disputes;
Breach of trustee duties;
Disputes over lifetime gifts;
Disputes between trustees and/or executors and/or beneficiaries;
Claims regarding beneficial ownership of assets, including property;
Contentious estate administration;
Financial abuse; and
Professional negligence in relation to Wills, trusts, and estates.

Successfully resolved a long-running, multi-jurisdiction dispute relating to an estate worth over £20m with complex arguments as to the beneficial ownership of joint assets and their devolution on death.

Defended a claim alleging fraud in relation to the deceased’s purported last Will, securing a successful outcome for the client.

Represented a surviving wife in her 30s in a high-value claim for reasonable provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, involving a multi-million-pound estate with a private limited company.

Application to set aside a trust for mistake which had placed the client’s property into the trust, giving rise to an immediate seven-figure Inheritance Tax charge and negligence claim against those who drafted the trust.